Cities will still light up skies on Fourth of July

HOLLYWOOD — Fourth of July revelers in Hollywood will be experiencing a more subdued and cheaper celebration at the beach this year, but officials are not ready to skimp on the fireworks.

City commissioners on Wednesday approved a plan to strip some of the entertainment costs during the beach party, but still want to spend about $80,000 on a 20-minute fireworks show from a floating barge.

Hollywood is among the many cities around Broward that are considering scaling back on festivities in anticipation of major budget woes next year.

For this year's event, Hollywood will spend no more than $102,000 for the patriotic celebration. The original plan called for doling out about $140,000.

The celebration has been considered a premier tradition in the city, with thousands from all over the region flocking to the beacheach year.

"Let's look at the real reason people come here," said Mayor Peter Bober, who called for a downsized festivity. "They come for the water, to hang out and they come for the fireworks."

At one point, Hollywood was considering following Weston's lead in canceling the fireworks.

Weston residents will have to gaze toward other city skies to enjoy a fireworks show this year. Officials are canceling the fireworks show for the second year in a row.

Officials from a number of other cities say they plan to go on with their fireworks celebration as planned, but will be reconsidering next year's festivities during their upcoming budget process.

In Fort Lauderdale, a fireworks show is still scheduled, but city commissioners this month instructed staffers to begin negotiating with vendors for something smaller.

What other Broward County cities are planning:

Coral Springs: Will continue to have fireworks as scheduled.

Davie: Fireworks as scheduled.

Deerfield: Fireworks will shoot from the pier.

Pompano Beach: Final decision has not been made because of budget concerns. Fireworks historically shot from a barge.

Hallandale Beach: The city will have a fireworks display but traditionally does it off the beach the weekend before the Fourth.

Miramar: Fireworks as scheduled.

Pembroke Pines: Fireworks as scheduled.

Staff Writers Brittany Wallman, Erika Pesantes and Rachel Hatzipanagos contributed to this report. Ihosvani Rodriguez can be reached at ijrodriguez@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7908.